O*NET-SOC 35-3031.00

Waiters and Waitresses

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 2 – Some preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.7508/2018
Service Orientation2.B.1.f3.6208/2018
Speaking2.A.1.d3.6208/2018
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a3.508/2018
Coordination2.B.1.b3.1208/2018
Monitoring2.A.2.d3.008/2018

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.13.8808/2018
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.33.8808/2018
Speech Clarity1.A.4.b.53.6208/2018
Speech Recognition1.A.4.b.43.6208/2018
Near Vision1.A.4.a.13.1208/2018
Time Sharing1.A.1.g.23.1208/2018

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Take orders from patrons for food or beverages.Core12108/2018
Check with customers to ensure that they are enjoying their meals, and take action to correct any problems.Core12208/2018
Check patrons' identification to ensure that they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages.Core12108/2018
Collect payments from customers.Core12108/2018
Write patrons' food orders on order slips, memorize orders, or enter orders into computers for transmittal to kitchen staff.Core12208/2018

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social4.8211/2023
Conventional4.5311/2023
Enterprising4.1511/2023
Realistic4.0711/2023
Artistic1.9311/2023
Investigative1.011/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 2

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.